Turf Club set to make sweeping changes following policy review
The announcements were made by Raymond Rooney, Senior Steward of The Turf Club. He also announced it is the intention of The Turf Club and the Curragh Committee to redevelop the main stand at the Curragh. It is hoped that work on this project will begin in 2003.
Mr. Rooney said that in recent months The Turf Club had undertaken a wide ranging review of the issues facing Irish racing and the initiatives were being brought about following the recommendations of that review.
He said the establishment of Horse Racing Ireland and the subsequent transfer of the Registry Office to this new body had given The Turf Club the opportunity to focus more closely on its key functions of the making and enforcing of the rules of racing and of the provision of a first class integrity service.
In total he set out fifteen initiatives which The Turf Club has been working on. In many cases dates have already been set for the introduction of the initiatives. A number of others still require further discussion before they can be introduced. The principal initiatives are as follows:
Minimum Riding Weight: With effect from October 1, 2002 the minimum riding weight in flat races will be increased to 7st 12 lbs.
The Stewards of the INHS Committee are also looking at a new minimum weight for jump jockeys and an announcement on this will be made shortly.
The increase is being introduced in view of the reduction in the number of lightweight riders and the inability of some apprentices to make full use of their full claim. There will be no increase in the maximum weight in flat races.
New Balloting System: The balloting system will be changed to ensure that horses with better form will be allowed to run ahead of horses with moderate form. This decision has been taken following a number of submissions by interested parties.
The Turf Club will be working closely with Horse Racing Ireland to ensure a new system can become operational as soon as possible.
There will also be an age and number of runs restriction in I.N.H.S. flat races, which will see these races confined to horses aged between 4 and 7 who have not run more than five times. The possibility of introducing minimum handicap ratings for Flat and National Hunt horses is also likely.
Harmonisation of UK & Irish Rules in Relation to Interference: Representatives from the Turf Club have held a number of meetings with their U.K. counterparts in the Jockey Club with a view to reaching uniformity between the interference rules as they apply in the U.K. and as they apply in Ireland. It was agreed by both organisations it is not acceptable in 2002 that, whilst the same rules apply in every other sport between countries, different rules apply between jurisdictions in racing in relation to interference. It is hoped to make a definitive announcement shortly.
Drug Testing of Riders: The Turf Club has been working closely with the Irish Sports Council in drawing up a set of guidelines, rules and procedures in order to introduce Drug Testing of Riders.
The intention is that the Drug Testing Programme will be introduced from the start of the 2003 Flat Season and the plan is to initially carry out tests on 50 riders next year, rising to 100 eventually.
Drug testing of riders is a complex area. The plan is to use an Independent Testing Agency and analysis of the samples will be carried out by an I.O.C. approved laboratory. At present a list of prohibited substances is being prepared.
Licensing of Racecourses: One of the functions of the Turf Club, under the new act, is the Licensing of Racecourses.
In the past few months the Turf Club Licensing Committee has carried out considerable work in this area.
The work involved a visit to each track and the compilation of an in-depth report on the facilities as they relate to the running of a race meeting from he Turf Club perspective.
The report set out work which needed to be carried out; a) immediately b) in the short-term and c) long term projects.
Discussions have now taken place with all tracks and licences have been issued until August 31, 2002.
At that time the licence will be reviewed and its reissue will depend on whether or not the work which needed to be carried out immediately has been done.In the event of tracks not reaching an acceptable standard, the Licensing Committee may refuse to reissue a track’s licence.
Appeals & Referrals Committee Hearings: In recent years there has been a significant increase in legal representation at Appeals and Referral Committee hearings and a number of legal issues have arisen where there was a difference of opinion between the legal representatives of both parties.
The Turf Club has now appointed two legal assessors to act at such hearings in the future if required.
Text Messaging: The Turf Club is about to launch a text messaging service where the notification and results of inspections will be sent in text messages to subscribers.
The Turf Club information line (045 445666) will continue to be the first mechanism to be updated.
Rule Book to be Rewritten: The Stewards have appointed Mr John Buckley to rewrite the Rule Book.
The last major overhaul of the Rule Book was in 1973, which is almost 30 years ago and the Stewards believe that the time is now right to carry out such a review.
Racecourse Safety: The Turf Club recently met with representative of the Jockeys’ and Trainers’ Association to review racecourse safety.
As a result of the meeting there will be minor alterations to the safety limits at Cork, Limerick, Punchestown and Roscommon, for certain types of races.
Charity Races: The Stewards have been concerned for some time at the quality and ability of riders taking part in Charity Races.
With effect from January1, 2003 it will be compulsory for all such riders to annually attend a short course at R.A.C.E.
Stewards Enquiry Announcements: With effect from June17, 2002, the Stewards approved the announcement of the results of Stewards’ Enquiries over the public address system.
The decision to commence the announcements was taken following a number of controversial incidents which arose on the track, where the public were not aware of the action taken by the Stewards.
The Stewards have also authorised the Senior Stipendiary Steward to appear on T.V. for the purpose of the giving of information on Stewards’ Enquiries and to explain the background to the Stewards decision.
Testing in Training Programme: The Turf Club has commenced random visits to Trainers’ yards to sample horses in Training. As and from May 1, 2002 the Turf Club vets do not need to give notice of such visits. To date vets have visited nine yards and randomly sampled a number of horses in each. All tests have come up negative.
In conclusion Mr. Rooney referred to the Curragh Racetrack, which is owned by The Turf Club. He said the Stewards were currently looking at how the main Stand can either be significantly upgraded or replaced totally. He said that this would require significant investment and the Stewards were currently exploring ways in which this work might be financed.
Any work undertaken will be mainly scheduled for the close season and will not affect racing.
